UPDATE: Northbound lanes have re-opened after accident involving a semi is cleared.
UPDATE: Police in Vernon have released details about an accident that has closed the northbound lanes of Highway 97 adjacent to Vernon Jubilee Hospital as crews continue working to clear the scene.
RCMP said a semi-truck, hauling a large load of lumber, had to initiate his emergency breaking system when a small black vehicle allegedly cut in front of it to abruptly stop for a pedestrian at a crosswalk.
Police said as a result of the semi engaging his emergency breaks, thousands of pounds of manufactured lumber loosened and propelled through the drivers cab.
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“The driver of the semi-truck was very fortunate to have sustained only minor injuries during this incident, given the amount of lumber that shifted and impaled the back of the drivers cab,” Const. Kelly Brett said. “This serves as a very good reminder to motorists that large vehicles such as semi-trucks do not have the ability to stop as quickly as smaller vehicles, and cutting in front of such a vehicle can cause significant, if not deadly injuries.”
A crane has now been brought in to offload the lumber from the semi.
The northbound lanes of Highway 97 in that area remain closed.
Traffic is being re-routed off Highway 97 onto 18th Ave.
Police say the other vehicle involved in the incident did not remain on scene.
ORIGINAL: The northbound lanes of Highway 97 in Vernon remain closed after a semi-trailer truck partially lost its load Wednesday morning.
It happened around 7 a.m. along the hill next to Vernon Jubilee Hospital.
The truck was carrying cut timber.
It appears the load shifted forward for some reason and slammed into the back of the tractor trailer unit.
The closure has created traffic backups around the hospital as morning commuters make their way around the accident scene.
No word on any injuries as a result of the accident.
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